Malleable earpiece for electronic devices

ABSTRACT

An earpiece for reproducing audio has multiple drivers, including a bone conduction bass driver and an air conduction treble driver, attached to the ends of a malleable, yet stiff, tubing. The bass driver is placed behind or over the ear to provide a high quality bass output while the treble driver is placed so as to extend in proximity to the user&#39;s ear canal. The malleable, yet stiff, tubing enables a user to bend the earpiece and thereby position the earpiece comfortably and securely around the user&#39;s ear and to optimally position the drivers in the desired positions around the user&#39;s ear. The tubing also allows the earpiece, when not in use, to be reshaped for easy storage or to be worn as an accessory. The earpiece may also include one or more microphones with the treble and/or bass drivers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/487,699, filed Apr. 14, 2017,which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 62/328,918, filed on Apr. 28, 2016, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/353,382, filed on Jun. 22, 2016. The entirecontents of each of these applications is incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an earpiece that isconfigured to be multipositional behind, or above, and around a user'sear and output a high quality sound via the use of separate drivers forhigh and low frequencies while allowing a user to also hear ambientsounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional headphones for outputting high quality audio often eithercover the outer ear or are positioned in the ear canal. Suchconventional headphones block out or dampen many ambient sounds thatinterfere with a user listening to the audio that is reproduced over theheadphones. However, blocking or damping ambient sounds can be unsafe.For example, it is dangerous for headphones to block out sounds ofoncoming traffic or sirens from an approaching ambulance. Moreover,conventional headphones that fit in the ear canal are unsanitary.

It is therefore desirable to provide one or more earpieces that allow auser to enjoy a high-quality audio reproduction while, at the same time,enabling the user to hear important ambient sounds. It is furtherdesirable to provide earpieces that are sanitary. It is also desirableto provide earpieces that provide sound that is customizable with anapplication or other software, and that can also compensate for hearingloss deficiencies, in addition to providing more optimal audio.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An earpiece with multiple speaker drivers, one for bone conduction andone for air conduction, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention is wearable behind and around a user's ear. The earpiece isdesigned to be connected to an electronic device (such as a mediaplayer) so that a user can listen with the earpiece to an audio signalthat is output from the electronic device. The connection between theearpiece and the electronic device may be wired or wireless.

The earpiece comprises a first assembly that is configured to bepositioned behind or above a user's ear to provide bone conduction forlow frequencies behind the user's ear, a second assembly that isconfigured to be positioned away from the first assembly when worn suchas in proximity to the ear canal at a location between the user's crus(root) of the helix and the intertragal notch of the user's ear, toprovide air conduction for high frequencies of an audio signal, and amalleable tubing, connecting the first and second assemblies, thatallows the first and second assemblies to be adjusted to fit on anindividual user's ear with the first and second assemblies in thedesired positions about the ear. In embodiments, the first and/or secondassemblies may be at least partially recessed within the malleabletubing.

In embodiments, the first assembly comprises: (i) a first speaker driver(or more than one speaker driver) that reproduces a first range offrequencies of a received audio signal that are below a firstpredetermined value using bone conduction of sound; (ii) a digitalsignal processor or passive crossover having an audio input forinputting the received audio signal to be reproduced by the earpiece, afirst audio output to output a first part of the audio signal to thefirst speaker driver that is operatively connected to the digital signalprocessor or passive crossover, and a second audio output to output asecond part of the audio signal to a second speaker driver that uses airconduction; and (iii) a power input or a power source for powering theearpiece. In embodiments, the first predetermined value may be in therange of 1 kHz to 6 kHz, in the range of 4 kHz to 5 kHz, or in the rangeof 1 kHz to 2 kHz, to name a few.

In embodiments of the present invention, the second assembly comprises asecond speaker driver or more than one speaker drivers electricallyconnected to the first assembly to receive the second part of the audiosignal and to reproduce a second range of frequencies that are above asecond predetermined value which is the same as or greater than thefirst predetermined value using air conduction of sound. In alternativeembodiments, the second predetermined value is below the firstpredetermined value such that some frequencies are reproduced by bothfirst and second speaker drivers. The frequencies at the firstpredetermined value may be reproduced by either the first or secondspeaker drivers. In embodiments, the second speaker driver may be eitherunidirectional or omnidirectional.

In embodiments, a malleable tubing containing a conductive element thatconnects the first assembly and the second assembly is configured to besufficiently flexible so as to be adjustable by the user to wrap aroundthe back of the user's ear and have a sufficient stiffness in order tomaintain the shape to which the user has adjusted it to hold theearpiece in place on the user's ear with the first assembly positionedbehind the user's ear and the second assembly positioned away from thefirst assembly and in proximity to the ear canal, for example, at alocation between the user's crus (root) of the helix and the intertragalnotch of the user's ear. In embodiments, the malleable tubing curvesaround and above the user's ear and then descends to a position abovethe ear canal.

In embodiments, the earpiece may further comprise a microphone ormicrophones for a user to communicate with or via the electronic device.The microphone may be part of the first assembly or the second assemblyor both, or, alternatively, either air conduction (treble) speakerdriver or the bone conduction (bass) driver may become a microphone byreversing its audio to be output from the respective speaker driver tothe digital signal processor (instead of audio being input from thedigital signal processor to the respective speaker driver). For example,the air conduction (treble) driver may also provide the microphonecapability or the bone conduction driver may provide that capability. Inembodiments, microphones may be provided at both the first and secondassemblies. In embodiments, a microphone may be positioned along asection of the malleable tubing away from the first and secondassemblies.

In wireless embodiments, two earpieces may be provided and connectedwirelessly to form a set of earpieces for the right and left ears of auser.

In wired embodiments, two earpieces may be provided and a secondmalleable tubing, which may be an additional segment of the firstmalleable tubing or a different type of malleable tubing, is connectedto each of the two earpieces such that the second malleable tubing iselectrically connected via a first electrical connector at a first endof the second malleable tubing to a first earpiece and a secondelectrical connector at a second end of the second malleable tubing to asecond earpiece.

In embodiments, in addition to providing a comfortable fit, themalleable tubing is also capable of being reshaped or retractable into anon-earpiece shape for easy storage or for wearing by the user. Forexample, an earpiece may be reshaped as a bracelet or a pair of rightand left earpieces may be reshaped into a necklace when the earpiece(s)are not in use for listening to audio or for audio communication.

In embodiments, one or more of the earpieces may be connected toeyeglasses, 3D or virtual reality (VR) glasses, virtual wearabletechnology, goggles, or a headset (collectively “VR glasses”) with aconnector in a manner that secures the earpieces in place on the user'sear when the earpieces are worn. In embodiments, the connector toconnect an earpiece to the eyeglasses is mounted to the earpiece.

In embodiments, one or more of the earpieces may be embedded within theeyeglasses.

In embodiments, at least the first speaker driver of an earpiece may beembedded within the eyeglasses. The first speaker driver (e.g., the bassdriver(s)) may be embedded within a side of the eyeglasses or in a strapconnected thereto to position the first speaker driver behind the user'sear to provide the first range of frequencies via bone conduction, andthe second speaker driver (e.g., the treble driver(s)) to reproduce thesecond range of frequencies that is configured to be positioned in frontof the user's ear in proximity to the ear canal. A Bone Conductingmicrophone (BC mic) or an Acoustic Conducting microphone (AC mic) mayalso be added to both assemblies.

In embodiments, at least the first speaker driver of an earpiece may beembedded into a pair of VR glasses. The first speaker driver (e.g., thebass drivers) may be embedded within a side of the VR glasses, or on astrap connected thereto to position the first speaker driver behind theuser's ear to provide the first range of frequencies via boneconduction, and the second speaker driver (e.g., the treble drivers) toreproduce the second range of frequencies is configured to be positionedin front of the user's ear in proximity to the ear canal.

In certain embodiments of the earpiece, eyeglasses, or VR glasses, thesecond speaker driver may be configured to enable placement in the earcanal rather than outside the ear canal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a malleable earpiece in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention after it is bent to fitaround and behind the ear of a user;

FIG. 1B is an external view of an ear on which the malleable earpiece ofFIG. 1A may be worn;

FIG. 1C shows an example of a positioning of the malleable earpiece, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, overthe ear;

FIG. 1D shows an example of an alternative exemplary positioning of themalleable earpiece, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, over and under the ear;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram showing the components of the earpiece ofFIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention where the earpiece is wireless;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing the components of the earpiece ofFIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention where the earpiece is connected to an electronic device with awired connection;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the earpiece of FIG. 1 in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when it stretchedto a fully extended position;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a pair of right and left earpieces inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionconnected in a first configuration to form a necklace;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a pair of right and left earpieces inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionconnected in a second configuration to form a necklace;

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the earpiece of FIG. 1 in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when it is bent toform a bracelet;

FIG. 3E is a perspective view of the earpiece of FIG. 1 in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention incorporated in aheadband;

FIG. 4A is a front view of a hoodie through which malleable tubing toconnect right and left earpieces in a wired configuration in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be threaded;

FIG. 4B is a back view of the hoodie shown in FIG. 4A in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of two earpieces in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention in which the earpieces areconfigured to be attachable to the back of eyeglasses;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the two earpieces shown in FIG. 5A inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention afterattachment to the back of eyeglasses;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of VR glasses in which earpiecesin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention eachhave a bass driver that uses bone conduction embedded within the pair ofVR glasses and a treble driver; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pair of headphones where the twoearpieces in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention are attached to headphones.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an earpiece with multiplespeaker drivers that provides high quality audio reproduction of audiooutput by an electronic device. The earpiece may be used with one ormore different types of electronic devices that output audio. Examplesof such electronic devices are a smartphone, a television, a stereosystem, an Apple iPad or Apple TV from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.,a portable audio system, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a wearable computer, a cell phone, a personal data assistant,or a specially-configured terminal, any telecommunications device, or VRglasses, to name a few. The earpiece may be used to supply audio to asingle ear. In embodiments, two earpieces may be paired and used asheadphones. In embodiments, there is a wired connection between theright and left earpieces, such as shown in FIG. 7, to form headphones70. In embodiments, the right and left earpieces are connectedwirelessly.

FIG. 1A shows an example of an earpiece 10 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention that has been shaped by a first userto be worn behind the user's ear. (Earpiece 10 may be bent to adifferent shape when not in use as described below with respect to FIG.3.) Referring to FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 2B, earpiece 10 includes a firstassembly 12, near a first end of earpiece 10, that has components foroperating earpiece 10 and a first speaker driver (or drivers), includingbone conducting bass driver 22, for reproducing the low frequencies ofthe received audio signal. A second assembly 16, mounted near a secondend of earpiece 10 has a second speaker driver (or drivers), includingan acoustic treble driver 17, for reproducing the high frequencies ofthe received audio signal. For example, the first driver may be used toreproduce frequencies up to a first predetermined value, such as wherethe first predetermined value is within a range of 1 kHz to 2 kHz, or 1kHz to 6 kHz (e.g., frequencies to be reproduced by bass driver 22 wouldbe within ranges of 50 Hz to 1 kHz or 5 kHz, 100 Hz to 1 kHz or 5 kHz,200 Hz to 1 kHz or 6 kHz) and the second driver may be used to reproducefrequencies above the first predetermined value 1 to 5 kHz up to around20 kHz or higher (e.g., ranges of 4 KHz to 20 kHz, or 6 kHz to 20 kHz).In embodiments, the second speaker driver may be used to reproducefrequencies above a second predetermined value which is at or above thefirst predetermined value. Typically, the second predetermined valuewill be at or around the first predetermined value. In an alternativeembodiment, the second predetermined value may be lower than the firstpredetermined value such that some frequencies are reproduced with boththe first and second speaker drivers. The first predetermined value isjust provided as an example; the first predetermined value may differbased on testing of the drivers that are used in a particularimplementation.

Earpiece 10 further includes malleable tubing 14 that connects the firstand second assemblies 12 and 16. Malleable tubing 14 allows theuser-adjustability of earpiece 10 such that it may be shaped, such as bybending, rotating, and/or twisting, to a position that places thespeaker drivers 17, 22 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) at or near optimalpositions on a user's ear, regardless of the size of the user's ear, andsecures the earpiece in place comfortably. Malleable tubing 14 ispliable which enables the user to bend earpiece 10 to position itcomfortably without completely covering the user's ear canal, therebyallowing a user to hear important ambient sounds while wearing theearpiece. The length of malleable tubing 14 used for an earpiece 10 maybe varied such that earpiece 10 may be offered in different sizes, likesmall, medium, and large, to allow for different possible ear sizes.

FIG. 1B shows an illustration of an ear on which earpiece 10 may bepositioned. In embodiments, earpiece 10 may be multipositional to enablethe earpiece 10 to be positioned differently on a user's ear based on auser's preference. FIG. 1C shows an example of a one possiblepositioning of earpiece 10 over the ear. In this example, first assembly12 of earpiece 10, including a bone conduction (bass) driver (ordrivers), is to be positioned behind the ear in proximity to the user'smastoid bone and against the skin to take particular advantage of boneconduction using the user's mastoid bone, which is a choice location forbone conduction. Also, in this embodiment, second assembly 16 ispositioned in front of the ear in proximity to the ear canal, such as ata location between the user's crus (root) of the helix and theintertragal notch of the user's ear. Second assembly 16 may be bentinward toward the ear canal to hover over the ear canal. In embodiments,second assembly 16 is positioned within 1 cm of the outside of theuser's ear canal. The positioning of the bone conduction driver behindthe ear in proximity to the user's ear canal as shown in FIG. 1Cimproves the sound quality as compared to placing the bone conductiondriver elsewhere about the ear such as near the top of the ear.

FIG. 1D shows an another example for positioning earpiece 10 over theear. As illustrated in FIG. 1D, first assembly 12 may be positionedtoward the top of a user's ear while second assembly 16 comes downfurther behind the ear near the earlobe and may wrap inward over theearlobe.

Alternatively, due to the malleable tubing 14, earpiece 10 may beadjusted and positioned differently when worn on the user's ear toprovide bone conduction with first assembly 12, such as through theuser's mastoid process, mandible, skull sutures, temporal bone,glabella, frontal bone, the skull in toto, zygomatic arch, or trigeminalnerve, while allowing for second assembly 16 to be adjusted to acomfortable position, such as near the user's ear canal. To enable boneconduction, earpiece 10 should be positioned with the bone conductionspeaker driver positioned to emit sound directly against the user'sskin.

FIG. 2A illustrates exemplary electronic components of earpiece 10 inwireless communication with an electronic device 28. First assembly 12includes a digital signal processor (DSP) 20 or passive crossover (notshown) that receives an input audio signal and digitally processes itsuch as with sonic enhancement, equalization, and time delay. Thereceived audio signal is split into two parts by DSP 20 or passivecrossover (which are electrically connected to speaker drivers), thefirst part carrying the low frequencies and the other part carrying thehigh frequencies. The low frequency part of the received audio signal isoutput from audio output 20 a at DSP 20 to a bass driver (or drivers) 22also at the first assembly 12. The DSP chip 20, in addition to providingthe crossover frequency and equalization, will delay the bass driver 22to phase align with the treble driver 17. Bass driver 22 emits sounds tobe detected by a user by bone conduction, using an electro-mechanicaltransducer that converts the electrical signal into vibrations totransmit sound to the inner ear through bones of the skull. The highfrequency part of the received audio signal is output from audio output20 b and is transmitted via a wired connection to treble driver 17 fromwhich sound is emitted by air conduction to be heard via a user's earcanal. Treble driver (or drivers) 17 may be unidirectional such thattreble driver(s) 17 should be aimed to the user's ear canal.Alternatively, speaker driver(s) 17 may be omnidirectional. Inembodiments, the first predetermined value and/or the secondpredetermined value relating to the crossover point for the frequenciesreproduced by bass driver(s) 22 and treble driver(s) 17 may bechangeable using DSP 20 or a passive crossover.

One or more microphones may be included in earpiece 10 and output audioto DSP 20 or passive crossover (not shown). In embodiments, a microphone18 a may be included in first assembly 12 and/or a microphone 18 b maybe provided in second assembly 16. In addition to or in lieu ofmicrophone 18 a and/or microphone 18 b, in embodiments, treble driver(s)17 may also be a pick-up acoustic (AC) microphone and/or bass driver(s)22 may also be a bone conducting microphone. In embodiments, amicrophone may be positioned along a section of the malleable tubingaway from the first and second assemblies. Where more than onemicrophone is provided, DSP 20 or passive crossover may be operativelycontrolled to select which audio input(s) will be used.

In addition, DSP 20 can communicate with software or a mobileapplication to customize a response to the user, and provide additionalfunctionality. The customization process may include hearing testing tooptimize the response and contour of earpiece 10 to a specific user,especially for the hearing impaired. The test procedures may incorporatehead-related transfer function (HRTF) functionality for this purpose.The software or mobile application will typically reside on a cellphone, tablet or other computing device.

Because treble driver 17 may not be optimally positioned in the earcanal, it is possible that the audio from treble driver 17 isundesirably audible to individuals in the vicinity of the user. Suchindividuals may be disturbed by the noise or the user may wish to haveprivacy. A user-controlled switch (e.g., manual, electronic, orimplemented in software) may therefore be optionally provided either atelectronic device 28, at earpiece 10, or via remote control to turn offtreble driver 17 when the user desires. Alternatively, second assembly16 can be inserted at least partially into the user's ear canal tolessen the noise.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, earpiece 10 has a wireless connectionpoint so that it can be paired wirelessly to an electronic device 28that supplies the audio via a wireless connection, such as withBluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, radio, infrared connections,and/or ZigBee communication protocols, to name a few. For a wirelessearpiece, the audio signal is received from an electronic device 28 viaa receiver or transceiver 25 that may be included at first assembly 12or elsewhere at earpiece 10. Receiver or transceiver 25 is incommunication with DSP 20. Power for earpiece 10 may be stored at apower source, such as power storage device 23 at first assembly 12 orelsewhere at earpiece 10 and supplied to DSP 20 via 20 c. Power storagedevice 23 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery (e.g., a buttonbattery) that is periodically charged, for example, by connection to apower source via a power input such as a USB port 24 or via inductivecharging such as by being placed on a wireless charging pad, solarcharger, or alternative energy source technology. The charge typicallyenables several hours of continuous operation of the earpiece 10 beforea recharge is necessary.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, where like parts are shown with the sameelement numbers as in FIG. 2A, earpiece 10 has a wired connection toelectronic device 28 that supplies the audio signal and that may also beused to power earpiece 10. Thus, first assembly 12′ of the wired versionof earpiece 10 may be differently configured from first assembly 12 ofFIG. 2A. Wired connections may be provided through a power input such asa hard-wired connection or via a cable connected to electronic device 28and an audio jack or other port on earpiece 10, such as a USB port 24.The wired version of earpiece 10 may or may not have its own powerstorage 23, such as in first assembly 12′, to supply power to DSP 20 via20 c. (It should be understood that general references to first assembly12 throughout this specification, other than when referring specificallyto the wireless embodiment of FIG. 2A, refer generally to a firstassembly that could be a first assembly 12 for a wireless earpiece or afirst assembly 12′ for an earpiece with a wired connection.) Inembodiments, an earpiece 10 may also be configured for both wired andwireless connectivity, in which case first assembly 12′ would have atransceiver.

In embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, DSP 20 (or passivecrossover) may also include one or more audio-in connections for the oneor more microphones that may be provided in first assembly 12/12′ and/orsecond assembly 16 (such as microphones 18 a, 18 b or microphonesincluded in the treble and bass drivers 17, 22). Microphone 18 a, whichmay operate, for example, by air conduction, or an acoustic microphoneincluded with treble driver 17 allows a user to communicate with or viaelectronic device 28 with which earpiece 10 operates. In embodiments,microphone 18 b, which may be situated in first assembly 12 or 12′, or amicrophone included with bass driver 22 may operate, for example, viabone conduction. Audio from one or more of the microphones is sent toelectronic device 28 via transceiver 25 or a separate transmitter (for awireless connection) as shown in FIG. 2A or via a wired connection asshown in FIG. 2B.

In embodiments, earpiece 10 may include one or more non-transitorymemory storage devices 26 operatively connected to DSP 20 (or passivecrossover) for storing and/or buffering audio to be played back ortransmitted to electronic device 28. The one or more non-transitorymemory storage devices may be, for example, flash memory, and/or otherremovable memory such as an SD card, a memory card, a flash memory card,a flash memory stick, and/or cloud memory. For example, a user maylisten to songs that are downloaded via a WiFi connection.

In embodiments, malleable tubing 14 is provided to allow for a user toadjust earpiece 10 behind the back of the user's ear to properlyposition the bass and treble drivers 22, and 17, regardless of a user'sear size or anatomy. (In embodiments, earpieces 10 may be provided inmultiple sizes, each having a different length of tubing 14). Thus,tubing 14 enables (i) a positioning of bass driver 22 that uses mastoidbone conduction behind the user's ear so that it touches the skin tovibrate against the inner bone and (ii) the desired positioning oftreble driver 16 in front of the user's ear. While positioning to usethe mastoid process for bone conduction is preferred, bass driver 22 mayalternatively be positioned on the user's ear for bone conduction thatutilizes one or more of the mandible, skull sutures, temporal bone,glabella, frontal bone, the skull in toto, zygomatic arch or trigeminalnerve of the user. Malleable tubing 14 may be formed from one or morematerials, such as a metal (such as copper, aluminum, stainless steel,steel, tin, brass, zinc, or platinum, to name a few) or combination ofmetals (such as a combination of spring steel, copper, stainless steeland beryllium, to name a few) or from a plastic composite, that havesufficient flexibility, such that a user may adjust of the shape oftubing 14 to a particular shape, but that are sufficiently stiff orrigid such that the shape is maintained unless the user exerts a forceto reshape the tubing. As another example, malleable tubing 14 may beformed from a material having elastic properties such as a thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) and more specifically an extruded TPE, which includecopolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and arubber) which consists of materials with both thermoplastic andelastomeric properties. Reinforcement fibers can also be used to addstrength to the tubing 14. Malleable tubing 14 may also be formed fromone or more other materials, such as, for example, vinyl or PVC tubingor any new alternative green technologies. In embodiments, malleabletubing 14 should have a hollow passageway between the top and bottomsuch that wiring/cabling, which may be insulated, can be run withintubing 14 to connect the first and second assemblies 12, 16.

When earpiece 10 is not in use, the malleability of the earpiece alsoenables it to be more conveniently and securely stored by the user. Forexample, FIG. 3A shows earpiece 10 fully extended. FIG. 3A also showspossible decorative options, e.g. LED lights 30 inside malleable tubing14. Earpiece 10 could then be stored in an inner pocket of a jacket.

FIG. 3B shows how tubing 14 on a pair of right and left earpieces 10R,10L may be adjusted in a circle to be worn around a user's neck as anecklace, such as a choker, among other types of necklaces. Connectors15 a, 15 b, which may be one of various types of connectors, clasps, orfasteners, may be provided at each end of earpiece 10, for exampleattached to first and second assemblies 12, 16 to quickly and securelyconnect together the two earpieces 10R and 10L together. FIG. 3B showsone possible configuration for forming the necklace in which respectivefirst assemblies 12 on each earpiece 10R and 10L are connected andrespective second assemblies 16 on each earpiece 10R and 10L areconnected. FIG. 3C shows a different possible configuration for formingthe necklace in which a first assembly 12 on each of earpieces 10R and10L is connected to a second assembly 16 on the other of earpieces 10Rand 10L. In another configuration (not shown), earpieces 10R and 10L mayonly be connected on one end to form a partial choker that extendsaround only a portion of the user's neck. Alternatively, another pieceof malleable tubing may be provided with connectors and inserted betweenthe ends of earpieces to expand the necklace for users who seek anecklace that is longer than the combined length of earpieces 10R, 10L.

FIG. 3D shows how tubing 14 may be bent by a user into a bracelet shapeto be worn as a bracelet 31 by a user when not in use. In thisconfiguration, earpiece 10 may also be used to transmit audio throughthe first assembly 12, which uses bone conduction, such that the user'sfinger can be placed near the ear canal to conduct phone conversations(a finger phone), or other audio communications.

When the earpieces are shaped into a necklace or bracelet shape or someother shape and worn by the user, it is less likely to be misplaced orlost when not in use. Earpiece 10 can alternatively be folded so that itis not bulky to carry such as in a pocket or a purse. The optionalphysical connections of earpieces 10R and 10L also allow for right andleft earpieces to be stored together.

FIG. 3E shows another embodiment in which earpiece 10 may beincorporated in a headband 32.

In wired embodiments, where two earpieces 10R and 10L are connected witha wired connection, an additional segment of the malleable tubing, or aretractable wire or folding frame, may be connected to each of the twoearpieces 10R, 10L such that the additional segment is electricallyconnected via a first electrical connector at a first end of theadditional segment of malleable tubing (or a retractable wire or foldingframe) to the first earpiece and a second electrical connector at asecond end of the additional segment of malleable tubing (or aretractable wire or folding frame) to the second earpiece.

As shown in FIG. 4A, where earpieces 10 are connected together in awired configuration, it is also possible to thread the additionalsegment 40 of malleable tubing 14 through a user's hoodie 41 to connectthe right and left earpieces (right 10R and left 10L) so that the wiringor tubing connecting right and left earpieces 10 is minimally exposed.As shown in FIG. 4B, additional segment 40 may have an electricalcontact point at location 46 on the hoodie 41 behind the user's head foreasy connection and separation of earpieces 10R and 10L from the hoodie41. Pockets 42, 44 can be included in a hoodie 41 to store right andleft earpieces 10R, 10L, respectively.

In either the wireless embodiment or the wired embodiment, software oran application may be provided on a cell phone, tablet, smart TV, gamingconsole, or other computing device that would allow the user to controlthe AC and BC drivers to customize the sound.

Malleable tubing 14 may also be covered with designs or patterns, with adisplay light and/or panel (e.g., an LED display) that may be used toshow device status (e.g., on/off, volume, to name a few) or may just bedecorative, or with small lights such as a strip of LED lights 30 asshown, for example, in FIG. 3A to enhance the appearance of the tubingas desired by users. Tubing 14 may also be covered with covers toprovide additional ornamentation. First and second assemblies may alsobe adorned with designs, patterns, or other ornamentation for improvedaesthetics. A flexible cushioned cover may be placed around tubing 14,outside of the locations in which first and second assemblies 12, 16 arelocated.

Earpiece 10 may be used to listen to diverse types of audio, such asphone calls, music files, television, videos or any streamed audio.Additionally, earpiece 10 may be used to play relaxing, healing ormeditative sounds such as solfeggio frequencies, which are believed bysome, although not proven, to have healing powers, and earth sounds(e.g., sounds of rain or ocean waves, to name a few). In embodiments,solfeggio frequencies may include one or more of the followingfrequencies: 63 Hz, 174 Hz, 285 Hz, 396 Hz, 417 Hz, 528 Hz, 639 Hz, 741Hz, 852 Hz, 963 Hz, and 1074 Hz. Without being bound by theory, some ofthe benefits of listening to the solfeggio frequencies are believed tobe: 174 Hz (reduce pain), 285 Hz (influence energy fields), 396 Hz (turngrief into joy), 417 Hz (facilitate change), 528 Hz (DNA refresh and/orrepair), 639 Hz (reconnecting, relationships), 741 Hz(expressions/solutions), 852 Hz (return to spiritual order), and 963 Hz(awaken perfect state). In embodiments, these frequencies are generallyreproduced on bass driver 22 that uses bone conduction, rather thanbeing reproduced with air conduction on treble driver 17. Inembodiments, the relaxing, healing or meditative sounds, such as thesolfeggio frequencies, may be played superimposed over other audio thatis being reproduced.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5A, earpiece 10 or a pair of earpieces10R, 10L may also be provided with a connector 54 for each earpiece toconnect to the sides (temples) of a pair of eyeglasses 52 (such asconventional eyeglasses or sunglasses). Each connector 54 may take theform of a short sleeve, as shown, in which a first end of the sleeveslips onto and grips the outside of malleable tubing 14 in the vicinityof second assembly 16, and a second end of the sleeve slips onto andgrips the outside of one of the sides 52R, 52L of eyeglasses 52. Otherconnectors 54 may alternatively be used to achieve similar results. Inembodiments, connector 54 may be mounted to earpiece 10.

Connector 54 may be made, for example, of a tube-shaped material havinga hollow passageway, that has elastic properties such as a thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) and more specifically an extruded TPE, which includecopolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and arubber) which consists of materials with both thermoplastic andelastomeric properties, to name a few. Connector 54 may alternatively beformed from one or more other materials, such as, for example, vinyl orPVC tubing.

FIG. 5B shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in whichearpieces 10R and 10L are shown after they are attached to eyeglasses 52with connector 54. The connection between the earpieces and theeyeglasses may be configured to secure the earpieces in place on theuser's ear when earpiece(s) 10 are worn. For example, in embodiments,earpieces 10R, 10L are attached to the eyeglasses approximately midwaybetween the treble and bass drivers 17, 22 such that the positions ofdrivers are adjustable by a user on the ear (e.g., the positions shownin FIG. 1C). In another exemplary embodiment, earpieces 10R, 10L may beinserted into connectors 54 with the positions of the treble and bassdrivers flipped such that the first assembly 12 of each earpiece may beadjusted by a user to be positioned similar to the positioning shown inFIG. 1D. The connection may also be configured to store earpiece(s) 10with eyeglasses 52 when earpiece(s) 10 and eyeglasses 52 are not in use.In other embodiments, at least one of earpieces 10R, 10L may be attachedto the eyeglasses at a different position on the earpieces.

In embodiments, at least a portion of one or more of the earpieces maybe embedded within (e.g., built into) the sides of the eyeglasses (e.g.,temples) or straps rather than having the one or more earpieces 10attached to the sides of the eyeglasses as shown in FIG. 5B. Forexample, the bass driver 22 may be at least partially embedded orrecessed into the sides of the eyeglasses 52. This may be particularlyadvantageous where, for example, the earpieces are used for medical,auscultation devices, military (for game playing or for actual use),emergency services, or telecommunications purposes.

FIG. 6 shows a set of VR glasses 60 that is worn for engaging in virtualreality activities, such as playing games, watching 3D videos,interacting in a 3D space, to name a few. Examples of such VR glasses 60include Oculus Rift from Oculus VR, LLC, Virtual Private Theater Glassesfrom Spexis Technology of Melbourne, Australia, and Smart Glasses fromVuzix® Corporation of West Henrietta, N.Y., U.S.A., to name a few. Inembodiments, the present invention allows for the embedding of the firstspeaker driver (e.g., the bass driver) within the sides of VR glasses60, such as in the sides of strap 62 that secures VR glasses 60 onto auser's head or in the sides of VR glasses 60 that have temples likeconventional eyeglasses. When embedded in the VR glasses 60, theglass/earpiece combination is, in embodiments, configured so that thefirst speaker driver, with the bone conducting element, is positionedbehind the ear and the second speaker driver, with the treble element,is positioned in front of the ear in proximity to the user's ear canal.In embodiments, the placement of the earpiece may be so that the bass(BC) driver conducts sounds to at least one of the mastoid process,mandible, skull sutures, temporal bone, glabella, frontal bone, theskull in toto, zygomatic arch, or trigeminal nerve of the user. Where aset of VR glasses has sides similar to sides 52R, 52L of eyeglasses 52shown in FIG. 5A, the first assembly may be similarly embedded into thesides of VR glasses 60.

In certain embodiments of the earpiece, eyeglasses, or VR glassesdescribed above, the second assembly may be configured for placement inthe ear canal rather than outside the ear canal.

Using the above-described features, a user can enjoy the advantages ofimproved and customized sound delivery without being oblivious tosignificant ambient sounds of which a user should be aware. The user canalso bend the earpiece for simplified and secure storage or for analternative use, such as for ornamentation. The present invention alsoadvantageously removes the earpiece from the ear canal, if desired, toreduce the chance for damaging a users hearing. In addition, otherbenefits may include a reduction in ear infections or ear discomfort.

Now that embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, theexemplary embodiments of the present invention, as set forth above, areintended to be illustrative, not limiting. The spirit and scope of thepresent invention is to be construed broadly and not limited by theforegoing specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. An earpiece, comprising: (a) a first speakerdriver configured to be positioned behind a user's ear and on skin ofthe user so as to perform bone conduction via a mastoid bone of the userto reproduce a first range of frequencies of an audio signal that arebelow a first predetermined value using bone conduction of sound; (b) asecond speaker driver configured to be positioned away from the firstspeaker driver and outside of the user's ear canal when worn andelectrically connected to the first speaker driver to reproduce a secondrange of frequencies of the audio signal that are above a secondpredetermined value which is the same as or greater than the firstpredetermined value using air conduction of sound; and (c) a malleabletubing, connecting the first and second speaker drivers, that enablesthe first and second speaker drivers to be adjusted to fit on the user'sear.
 2. The earpiece of claim 1, wherein the first speaker driver isincluded with a first assembly, and wherein the first assembly furthercomprises: (i) a digital signal processor or a passive crossover havingan audio input for inputting the received audio signal to be reproducedby the earpiece, a first audio output to output a first part of theaudio signal to the first speaker driver that is operatively connectedto the digital signal processor, and a second audio output to output asecond part of the audio signal to a second speaker driver that uses airconduction; and (ii) a power input or a power source for powering theearpiece.
 3. The earpiece of claim 1, wherein the first predeterminedvalue is in a range of from 1 kHz to 6 kHz.
 4. The earpiece of claim 1,wherein the first predetermined value is in a range of from 1 kHz to 2kHz.
 5. The earpiece of claim 1, wherein the earpiece is configured toreproduce relaxing sounds, including audio comprising Solfeggiofrequencies stored at the earpiece, during reproduction of another audiosignal on the earpiece.
 6. The earpiece of claim 1, wherein at least thefirst speaker driver is embedded within a pair of eyeglasses or a strapthat is connectable to the pair of eyeglasses or to a headset.
 7. Theearpiece of claim 1, wherein the earpiece comprises a connector toconnect the earpiece to a pair of eyeglasses of the user to secure theearpiece in place on the user's ear when the eyeglasses are worn by theuser such that the first speaker driver is positioned behind the user'sear and on skin of the user so as to perform bone conduction via themastoid bone of the user and the second speaker driver is positionedaway from the first speaker driver and outside of the user's ear canalso as to perform air conduction.
 8. The earpiece of claim 1, furthercomprising: (d) a connector for connecting the earpiece with a wiredconnection or wirelessly to an electronic device such that the user canlisten with the earpiece to the audio signal that is reproduced by theelectronic device.
 9. The earpiece of claim 1, further comprising amicrophone for the user to communicate with or via the electronicdevice.
 10. The earpiece of claim 9, wherein the microphone ispositioned along a section of the malleable tubing away from the firstand second speaker drivers.
 11. The earpiece of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the first speaker driver or the second speaker driveroperates as a microphone.
 12. The earpiece of claim 1, wherein theearpiece is reshapable into a non-earpiece shape for storage when theearpiece is not in use.
 13. The earpiece of claim 1, wherein theearpiece is configured to be reshapable into a bracelet and comprisesconnectors to connect the earpiece to form the bracelet.
 14. Theearpiece of claim 1, wherein the earpiece is configured to be reshapableinto a necklace and comprises connectors to connect the earpiece to formthe necklace.
 15. The earpiece of claim 1, wherein the malleable tubingfurther comprises one or more designs, patterns, displays, or decorativelights.
 16. A set of earpieces, comprising a first earpiece for a rightear and a second earpiece for a left ear, each of the first and secondearpieces comprising: (a) a first speaker driver configured to bepositioned behind a user's ear and on skin of the user so as to performbone conduction via a mastoid bone of the user to reproduce a firstrange of frequencies of an audio signal that are below a firstpredetermined value using bone conduction of sound; (b) a second speakerdriver configured to be positioned away from the first speaker driverand outside of the user's ear canal when worn and electrically connectedto the first speaker driver to reproduce a second range of frequenciesof the audio signal that are above a second predetermined value which isthe same as or greater than the first predetermined value using airconduction of sound; and (c) a first malleable tubing, connecting thefirst and second speaker drivers, that enables the first and secondspeaker drivers to be adjusted to fit on the user's ear; wherein the setof earpieces further comprise a second malleable tubing to connecttogether the set of earpieces such that the second malleable tubing iselectrically connected via a first electrical connector at a first endof the second malleable tubing to the first earpiece of the set of twoearpieces and a second electrical connector is connected at a second endof the second malleable tubing to the second earpiece of the set ofearpieces.
 17. The set of earpieces of claim 16, wherein the set ofearpieces are paired and used as headphones.
 18. The set of earpieces ofclaim 16, wherein the second malleable tubing is threadable through apiece of clothing and wherein the first and second electrical connectorsare releasable from the second malleable tubing.
 19. The set ofearpieces of claim 16, wherein the first speaker driver of each of thefirst and second earpieces is included with a first assembly, andwherein the first assembly of each earpiece further comprises: (i) adigital signal processor or a passive crossover having an audio inputfor inputting the received audio signal to be reproduced by theearpiece, a first audio output to output a first part of the audiosignal to the first speaker driver that is operatively connected to thedigital signal processor, and a second audio output to output a secondpart of the audio signal to a second speaker driver that uses airconduction; and (ii) a power input or a power source for powering theearpiece.
 20. The set of earpieces of claim 16, wherein the firstpredetermined value is in a range of from 1 kHz to 6 kHz.
 21. The set ofearpieces of claim 16, wherein the first predetermined value is in arange of from 1 kHz to 2 kHz.
 22. A set of earpieces, comprising a firstearpiece for a right ear and a second earpiece for a left ear, each ofthe first and second earpieces comprising: (a) a first speaker driverconfigured to be positioned behind a user's ear and on skin of the userso as to perform bone conduction via a mastoid bone of the user toreproduce a first range of frequencies of an audio signal that are belowa first predetermined value using bone conduction of sound; (b) a secondspeaker driver configured to be positioned away from the first speakerdriver and outside of the user's ear canal without completely coveringthe user's ear canal when worn and electrically connected to the firstspeaker driver to reproduce a second range of frequencies of the audiosignal that are above a second predetermined value which is the same asor greater than the first predetermined value using air conduction ofsound thereby allowing the user to hear ambient sounds; and (c) a firstmalleable tubing, connecting the first and second speaker drivers, thatenables the first and second speaker drivers to be adjusted to fit onthe user's ear; wherein the set of earpieces further comprise a secondmalleable tubing to connect together the set of earpieces such that thesecond malleable tubing is connected via a first connector at a firstend of the second malleable tubing directly to the first earpiece of theset of earpieces and a second connector is connected directly at asecond end of the second malleable tubing to the second earpiece of theset of earpieces, and wherein the first and second earpieces arereleasable from the second malleable tubing, and wherein the first andsecond earpieces are configured to be connectable and reshapable into anecklace, and wherein at least one of the first and second earpiecescomprises a third connector that is configured to connect the first andsecond earpieces to form the necklace.
 23. The set of earpieces of claim22, wherein the first connector comprises a first electrical connectorto electrically connect the first end of the second malleable tubingdirectly to the first earpiece of the set of earpieces and wherein thesecond connector comprises a second electrical connector to electricallyconnect the second end of the second malleable tubing to the secondearpiece of the set of earpieces.
 24. The set of earpieces of claim 22,wherein the first speaker driver of each of the first and secondearpieces is included with a first assembly, and wherein the firstassembly of each earpiece further comprises: (i) a digital signalprocessor or a passive crossover having an audio input for inputting thereceived audio signal to be reproduced by the earpiece, a first audiooutput to output a first part of the audio signal to the first speakerdriver that is operatively connected to the digital signal processor,and a second audio output to output a second part of the audio signal toa second speaker driver that uses air conduction; and (ii) a power inputor a power source for powering the earpiece.
 25. The set of earpieces ofclaim 22, wherein the first predetermined value is in a range of from 1kHz to 6 kHz.
 26. The set of earpieces of claim 22, wherein the firstpredetermined value is in a range of from 1 kHz to 2 kHz.